Would you take Peter Thiel's offer to skip college?

[bond]

Peter Thiel came out with his list last week on the first run of fellowships for 20 students who are skipping college to build a company. He's giving them 100k over the course of 2 years. Now... would you take the offer and skip college?

My answer is... No. There are a lot of things you learn in college (not counting school). A big part of who you are is defined in college. A lot of your good friends are made in college. In essence, you would miss the college experience. I heard from entrepreneurs that they missed out on many things of their youth because of their business. Skipping college shouldn't be one of them.

[mtnjkwe]

I'll definitely not take it up.
Plus they (Drop-out self made mills) are testament to the fact that college actually helps. As take away college and they wouldnt have probably achieved what they did.

[bw9231345]

I heard about this the other week when one of the fellows was talking to me about being given a fellowship, bragging over their $50,000 a year. I was like "heh, you're bragging to the wrong person - it takes me less than two weeks to earn that - and I went to college."

Anyway, the short answer is - no, I wouldn't take his offer.
He offers you advice etc. and $100,000 (or $50,000 a year) - I wouldn't say it was worth skipping further education.

I'd say go to college, get a good degree then get a job which pays $50,000+ a year. There may not be many jobs that pay $50,000 that you can go straight into after college, but statistically the average income of someone with a good degree from a reputable college is $100,000+.

Note: By college I mean further education at age 16/17 in the UK, I'm not sure if it means the same thing in the US - but that's what the word "college" means in the UK.

[Mcfroggin]

Definitely not.

[Fryed7]

College dropouts still went to college...!

Besides the fact you might actually learn something, you meet smart people with common interests and *can have a whole lots of fun*.

Paul Graham, one of the big names behind Y Combinator (these guys seedfund startups in a really unique, successful way: Y Combinator) and has this to say on the Uni thing YouTube - ‪Paul Graham at Startup School 08‬‏ oh, and you'll want to watch the guy with the counter-argument. Funny stuff

[JWinvestments]

I'd take it; then scam him and go. Then I'd have had it paid for me.

If not; I'd still go.

Quite frankly I think if you enjoy a topic then you should go; you'll learn more from somebody with a doctorate about it then you would studying it on your own; for example I want to study Economics; I can't teach myself econometrics easily. Not to mention; outer-course events and so forth can be extremely valuable.

[malaika]

I dont get your points on not skipping college cause thats where you make friends etc. If you do take the offer,are successfull with your venture, then you'll be years ahead than most college grads will be when they finish. And you'll meet the right people as you go along. If you are not successful, you can just swallow the lesson learnt and go back to college-or home. I think i'd take it.

[bond]

@malaika,
My thought is that the people who take the offer will not go back to college. Because running a business will take much longer than just 2 years. Once they're in it, they're in it. They will always meet the right people, yes but I think that will be people in their niche. College is where you meet all kinds of people from different talents, areas, etc.

[Gabe]

No I would not take even though it would be a great experience it's a huge change, and it's more than just an experience it's affecting your latter life, and it's almost like your skipping some of the best years of your life

[bond]

@Gabe,
Yes, my thoughts exactly.